The most iconic football player of the the last 20 years who-is-not-Zidane, AC Milan’s Paolo Maldini retired last weekend still holding down a first team place at the age of 41. Here are 5 possible reasons for his legendary status in football folklore.1) Genes
Paolo’s father is Cesare Maldini, the captain of the 1963 European Cup-winning Milan side. Maldini senior also played in defence, making up one of the best defensive duos of all time with his famous partner-in-crime, „ich habe fertig” Giovanni Trapattoni. He, like his son was famous for his fair play, elegance on the ball and leadership abilities.
2) Upbringing
It is apparent in Paolo’s every action on and off the pitch that the values he inherited from his parents served him well all his career. A dignified personality with an unshakeable self-belief, he was able to captain Milan for more than 12 years by never raising his voice, but acting as a role-model in the dressing room and on the field.
It is apparent in Paolo’s every action on and off the pitch that the values he inherited from his parents served him well all his career. A dignified personality with an unshakeable self-belief, he was able to captain Milan for more than 12 years by never raising his voice, but acting as a role-model in the dressing room and on the field.
3) Loyalty
Not many players can play for their whole career at the same club, at such a high level. Milan put his faith in Maldini when he made his debut at the age of sixteen and he paid them back by being a loyal servant to the club ever since. It also helped that he never had to acclimatise to another club, had the same president and club director except for the first few months of his pro-career, thus knew the club inside-out.
Not many players can play for their whole career at the same club, at such a high level. Milan put his faith in Maldini when he made his debut at the age of sixteen and he paid them back by being a loyal servant to the club ever since. It also helped that he never had to acclimatise to another club, had the same president and club director except for the first few months of his pro-career, thus knew the club inside-out.
4) Mentor
If ever there was a player who could teach the young prospect the art of defending it was Franco Baresi, who achieved the same legendary status among the Rossoneri faithful. Though Baresi played primarily as a sweeper, he showed Maldini how to stop attackers by perfect positioning, spotless tackling and coordination of the defensive unit to work the offside trap like a finely-tuned machine. No wonder that for some sections of the Milan fans, Numero 6 is still regarded as the ’Real’ capitano of the club.
If ever there was a player who could teach the young prospect the art of defending it was Franco Baresi, who achieved the same legendary status among the Rossoneri faithful. Though Baresi played primarily as a sweeper, he showed Maldini how to stop attackers by perfect positioning, spotless tackling and coordination of the defensive unit to work the offside trap like a finely-tuned machine. No wonder that for some sections of the Milan fans, Numero 6 is still regarded as the ’Real’ capitano of the club.
5) Stature
At 1,86m height and able to play with both legs, Maldini is the prototype of the ideal defender. Tall enough to clear the ball with his head, but with low enough gravity center to turn with the best of strikers, there was nothing this man could not dot handle. Add to this his positional sense and in his prime his speed and it’s no wonder that Maldini was able to deliver world class performance as a left-back and in central defence, in Milan and in the Squadra Azzura.
At 1,86m height and able to play with both legs, Maldini is the prototype of the ideal defender. Tall enough to clear the ball with his head, but with low enough gravity center to turn with the best of strikers, there was nothing this man could not dot handle. Add to this his positional sense and in his prime his speed and it’s no wonder that Maldini was able to deliver world class performance as a left-back and in central defence, in Milan and in the Squadra Azzura.
